Back-to-school shopping can be tough on families, as you try to stretch every dollar as far as it can go. Clothing, books, pens, notepads… it all really starts to add up. In the Ohio Senate, we know that Ohio’s families could use some help, and we are committed to easing the burdens that government adds to the mix. That is why, for the third year in a row, the General Assembly has passed the Ohio Sales Tax Holiday to assist parents during the back-to-school shopping season.Two years ago we enacted Ohio’s first Sales Tax Holiday – a pilot project to see how Ohio would respond to the tax-free weekend. That was a success, as Ohioans saved millions of dollars and retailers saw a significant boost in sales. We renewed that program in 2016 and Ohio families were once again able to save money while buying necessities.

This year, I co-sponsored Senate Bill 9 to renew the Sales Tax Holiday for 2017. Beginning Friday, August 4 and running through Sunday, August 6, families can take advantage of this unique tax-free weekend when purchasing select items. But the benefits don’t stop there – over the past two years retailers have offered additional discounts to coincide with the tax holiday weekend. Both shoppers and retailers can once again benefit from this savings opportunity. All shoes and clothing priced less than $75 will be exempt from state and local sales and use taxes during this period. School supplies and instructional materials priced at $20 or less will also be tax exempt. Even online vendors will be more affordable, as they will waive local and state sales taxes on designated items during the three-day tax holiday.Ohio’s Sales Tax Holiday is scheduled to provide optimal savings for parents, families and educators at a time when families must stretch their dollars. This temporary relief from the sales tax is meant to ease the burden for families and ensure that students have the items necessary to succeed in the classroom.Ohioans saved millions of dollars on back-to-school items during the prior Sales Tax Holidays, and stores saw significant boosts in statewide retail sales. Counties located along state lines fared even better. This is a win-win for families, businesses and most importantly, students. I was proud to support this initiative, which will help families keep more of their hard earned money.For more information about Ohio's Sales Tax Holiday, including specifics on which items qualify for savings, please visit the Ohio Department of Taxation's website at http://www.tax.ohio.gov/sales_and_use/SalesTaxHoliday.aspx. And as always, if you have any questions about the Sales Tax Holiday or any other issue, please feel free to contact me. You can reach me at Peterson@OhioSenate.gov or by calling my office at (614) 466-8156.

COLUMBUS—State Senator Bob Peterson (R-Washington Court House) today announced that the Ohio Legislative Service Commission is accepting applications through April 1, 2018 for the 2019 Legislative and Telecommunications Fellowship Program. The Commission will hire 24 fellows to serve in the Ohio General Assembly for the 2019 calendar year.

COLUMBUS—State Senator Bob Peterson (R-Washington Court House), co-sponsor of House Bill 1, today announced the unanimous Senate passage of legislation aimed at enhancing protections for individuals who are victims of violence and abuse when they are in a dating relationship with the offender.

COLUMBUS—State Senator Bob Peterson (R-Washington Court House) announced that this week the Ohio Senate unanimously passed a plan to reform the process for drawing Ohio’s congressional districts. With a strong bipartisan vote in the Ohio House today, Substitute Senate Joint Resolution 5 will now go before Ohio voters on the May ballot. The passage of Sub SJR 5 follows weeks of negotiations between the leadership of both parties in the General Assembly and various redistricting reform coalitions.